Although the sticky issue of including the Prime Minister and the higher judiciary under the Bill was set aside for “further discussion,” the committee, agreed to do away with hitherto provisions under the law for sanction of higher authority to investigate and prosecute politicians and senior bureaucrats on corruption charges.
At present, to investigate and prosecute a chief minister, the Governor’s sanction is required. This power will now be vested with the Lokpal that would require no sanction from any authority under the Lokpal Bill.
Emerging out of the third meeting of the government and Civil society members of the drafting committee here, Civil Society member Prashant Bhushan said that government has agreed to give full authority to Lokpal on its appointment, investigation and prosecution functions.
He also said that issues related to bringing Prime Minister and Chief Justice under the ambit of Lokpal’s investigation will be discussed in subsequent meetings.
Another civil society member Arvind Kejriwal said that the drafting committee also discussed the role of politicians and judges in the working of Lokpal. The role of CVC and CBI will be discussed in the next meeting on 23rd of this month.
Human Resource Development Minister and panel member Kapil Sibal described the meeting as “exceptionally constructive.” “The drafting of the Bill will now begin in areas on which there is agreement,” he said.
He said government is hopeful that final draft of the bill will be ready by the end of June. The minister said that subsequent meetings will focus on the issues regarding the impact of the proposed panel over the constitutional authorities.
The meeting was chaired by Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.